How do instructional designers use automated instructional design tool?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of an automated design tool by naive, novice, and expert instructional designers. A talk-aloud protocol, attitude survey, performance assessment, and direct observation were used to gather data. While the expert designers used the tool, they used it as a word processor with a rich database of instructional strategies. The novice designers relied on the tool for advice, guidance, and assistance in completing all the design tasks. Non-designers used the tool for learning about design.